I happen to be drving buy a Dodge dealership not too long ago, and there was a Challenger in the lot, proudly displayed in from of the entrance to the show room. I had a few minutes to kill, so I stopped in to see what all the hype was about.
First impression as I walked up to it was that it was jacked up like a monster truck. The suspension was set so high, you could have changed the differential without a jack or lift!
I sat in it and played with the controls for a while, and it just felt odd. Of course I had just gotten out of my 5-series BMW, so anything would have felt odd. But the seats were strangely un-American in that they were smallish. I'm 5'11" 190 lbs and the seats felt like they were 3/4 the size they should be. American cars typically have bigger wider seats, but this one was strange. I don't think they would have been very supportiing on twisty roads...but a Challenger only has to prevent you from falling backwards right?
The interior was typical American fitment and material class...and it was volumous inside...but not smart spatially. The proportions outside were out dated when they made the first design sketch, and the retro-look is just not right for today. I can't imagine why anyone would want to buy one. If American muscle is the sole criteria...go buy a used Corvette or a Mustang...the Challenger is just a bloated pig, clinging on to some nostalgia which should have been left in its era. It'll never be a contender for smart money or serious driving.
A new car with modern looks and un-American design with a modern drivetrain would have done better to use the Challenger name.